For the 2025-26 school year, North Thurston High School had around 70 students involved in the orchestra program. The students recently participated in a spring concert held on May 18, 2026, at the James Koval Center for the Performing Arts. The Orchestra is directed by award-winning music educator Rebecca Gage, who was named the 2026 Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) High School Music Educator of the Year.
She received her award at the WMEA Conference in February. “I was honored to receive the award, but my primary interest in teaching is giving my students the skills they would need to no longer need me,” Gage remarked. “I sometimes feel anxious when I think about what my life will be like when I reach retirement age because teaching music is one of the largest parts of my life. Then I remember I teach my students that music is for life, and I know I can always be involved in one of the things I love most.”
Gage has been in education for 29 years, including teaching positions in Centralia and at Nisqually Middle School.
Gage has spent energy and intention in modeling and creating a program that strives to teach how music can be a core part of every student’s life where they can be active patrons. “To have them go into a musical profession is not my main concern, but rather I aim for them to learn to include music in their lives for their time in high school or the future. That could be playing for their families at Christmas, playing in a local group, or for a worship service.”
North Thurston Orchestra Strives for Excellence and a Life of Music
The North Thurston Orchestra program has three main groups: the Symphonic Orchestra, made primarily of seniors and juniors, the Camerata, which is exclusively sophomores, and the String Orchestra, which is exclusively freshmen.
The North Thurston ensembles have had a successful year, with all of them earning “Superior” ratings at the Chinook region large group festival. Several students also earned “Superior” ratings in the regional Solo/Ensemble contest.
Henry Nelson, qualified for the State level on cello solo and last month earned third place out of 22 regions. Yukino Sokolik and Matilda Homewood auditioned, qualified and will be participating at WMEA All-State Orchestra at the end of May.
“I try to lead my students by example by playing in a local Orchestra. I feel like I can speak to the importance of practice when I have to live it,” Gage noted. “In addition, I also want my students to have a positive space in high school, where they can feel like they are a part of something and know they can create something amazing.”
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